MLB Trade Rumors: Trading Daniel Nava a Great Move for Boston Red Sox

After finishing the first half 43-43 and 2.5 games out of the second AL wild-card spot, the Boston Red Sox have to decide right now whether they are buyers or sellers.

With the activation of Jacoby Ellsbury on July 14, the question to ask is, "Which member of the outfield platoon will be moved?"

Daniel Nava and Ryan Sweeney have been named as potential trade pieces for the Red Sox as they attempt to make a second-half push for the AL Wild Card.

Michael Silverman of the Boston Herald reports that Boston's “open-minded” front office has received several inquiries about some of the outfielders, while the team has apparently decided on hold on to Ryan Kalish and Cody Ross (via Danny Knobler of CBS Sports).

“Kalish is back in Triple A and is widely considered to be part of the club’s 2013 plans, if not sooner," writes Silverman.

Ross is a right-handed power hitter that the Sox do not want to part with. He has helped stabilize the Red Sox offense throughout the first half by hitting 13 homers, driving in 40 runs, scoring 37 runs and batting .258.

Nava is a young, impressive switch-hitter that Boston can trade for a good starting pitcher that can shore up the rotation.

There are rumors that the Red Sox are interested in two of the Cubs' starting pitchers, Garza and Ryan Dempster (per CBS Sports).

Garza has been a hot topic lately and has won 12 of his past 16 games. Garza’s addition to the Red Sox would be a smart move and add some stability to a Boston rotation that has underperformed.

Matt Garza has an ERA of 4.07 but has had little run support all season, reports Dave Van Dyck of the Boston Herald. He has a 1.11 WHIP, and his K/BB is 72/22. His control can be shaky, but when Garza is on top of his game, he makes opposing hitters struggle.

Nava is batting .293/.425/.384.

He is a strong defensive outfielder whose offensive production seems to be rising the more at-bats he gets, and his offense would be a great addition for the Cubs lineup.

Nava could become a part of the Chicago Cubs' nucleus, which Theo Epstein says currently consists of Starlin Castro and Jeff Samardzija, report Doug Padilla and Bruce Levine of ESPN Chicago.

Boston and Chicago each have a player the other side wants and needs.

I doubt they will trade Nava for Garza straight-up, but this would be the kind of trade in which both sides come out better than when they started.

A win-win situation like this is hard to pass up, so Boston should trade Nava now before the Cubs find a better offer for Garza.